Day 61 -- Happy Halloween!

When: Wednesday, October 31st, 2012. Halloween!

Where: Running errands, the old apartment.


My Halloween wasn't altogether too fashionable. I spent most of the day in a pair of leggings, a tank top, and a hoodie covered in paint. You see, we need to clear out of our old apartment this week, and we had better paint away that dark grey color we loved so dearly... or else! Scary.

So, in lieu of  assailing your eyes with a terrifying photo of me in painty leggings, I'll show you a bloody manicure. Here we go

So, start with a clear coat of white polish. You can use a many different methods of flicking red polish onto your nails, but, I'll tell ya, after much pinterest research, using a straw is the best. Unfortunately, I didn't have a straw on hand last night, but I did have some macaroni... so yeah, that works too.

Dip the end of your 'straw' into some red polish and blow through the other end towards your white nails. It'll be messy, so be careful.

Do your best to clean up the splatter afterward. I used a acetone soaked paint brush to wipe away most of it, but the best thing was waiting 24 hours until the polish was super hardened and using a nail brush and soap to knock the leftover bits off your fingers.

Below are a few shots from Adult Halloween. Much love to Roxanne the Cheerleader (she wore her own uniform from high school!), Ashley the sexy cyborg, Jessica the sailor, and the boys who photobombed us.

I went as Sandy from Grease. Little did I know how apropo my costume -- or at least the name -- would be!

Tank top: Target, old | Pants: Zara | Belt -- ASOS | Shoes -- Guess via Marshall's

Necklace -- Alexis Bittar | Earrings -- Top Shop

Day 60 -- Superstition

When: Tuesday, October 30th, 2012

Where: To work at Alexis Bittar

What:
Dress: Leah Reena Goren via Anthropologie | Sweater: Staring at Stars via Urban Outfitters |
Belt: H&M | Shoes: BDG via Urban Outfitters | Jewelry: Alexis Bittar | Bag: Marc by Marc Jacobs |

 

Why:
I got this dress at Anthro the other night and I thought it would be the perfect piece to wear right before Halloween. I love the kitty print! During any other time of the year, it would just be considered cute, but I felt kind of spooky wearing it today... like there were a hundred black cats in the room. Boo!

I also had the chance to chat with Ndoema and Phillip of The Global Girl today. Ndoema, if you don't already know, runs an amazing fashion and lifestyle blog and she posts in seven languages! Phillip takes her photos and really has an eye for film.

I started thinking about the way Alex and I have been kind of working on my blog together recently. I used to just shove my iphone at him and tell him to take my photo. In the beginning, it was more about just documenting the outfit and moving on. But over the last few days, Alex has been really encouraging me to be creative through the photos themselves as well as my clothing.

 

And I'm loving the result! I mean, how cool am I as a triplet?! I even love the gif he made of me! I felt really inspired by Ndoema and Phillip's way of working together, and it made me feel more free to bounce idea off of Alex and use his abilities! I'm so excited about future blog posts and different things we can try!

Definitely let me know what you think!

Day 59 -- Lady in Red

When: Monday, October 29th, 2012

Where: To work at Alexis Bittar

 

Why:
When I went shopping at Anthro last night, I was super pumped to spend my gift card, use my birthday coupon and hit the sale racks! For the first time ever, I was actually disappointed by Anthro's sale showing. I usually head to the fitting rooms with ten or twelve hangers on my arm, but this time, I nearly struck out. The only thing I knew I had to have was this navy and burnt orange reto number made by Girls of Savoy. 

 I love the way it kind of looks like a dirndl dress with a Mad Men vibe. It feels very me.

I finished off the look with orange accessories. I can't believe I haven't worn this sweater in the last 59 days! It is my absolute favorite, ever. It made my one of my favorite brands, Alice and Olivia, and I got it at Goodwill for $10! It still had the original tags on it with the MSRP as $340. Talk about a deal! Amazing steal aside, I love the comfy lightweight cashmere, and perfect coral color, and the length of it! Sigh, it's the ultimate.

Alex took these photos of my around our building when I got home from work tonight. I can get very impatient with photo taking, because, as I like to say, "It's more fun to be done." But! Alex takes some beautiful shots, and I am grateful.

What:
Dress -- Girls of Savoy via Anthropologie
Sweater -- Alice and Olivia via Goodwill
Belt -- Anthropologie
Shoes -- Elizabeth and James (clearance at Marshall's)
Bag -- Kate Spade via Second Time Around

Day 58 -- In My Kitchen

When: Sunday, October 28th, 2012 -- HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MAIJA!!

Where: To work at Alexis Bittar, post-birthday Anthropologie shopping, and, clearly, at home making dinner.

 

Why:

This dress is comfortable, easy, and bright. It just felt right this morning. I tried to wear a long-sleeved Kirna Zabete for Target dress this morning, but knowing that LA summer was carrying on right through October made me change my mind. Sleeveless it was!

 How much do you love that I still have unpacked boxes in my kitchen?!

 

Here's what I looked like at work today, you know, with shoes on. And jewelry!

What:
Dress -- Forever 21
Belt -- H&M
Shoes -- Steve Madden
Jewelry -- Alexis Bittar, borrowed

Day 57 -- Puppy Love

When: Saturday, October 27th, 2012

Where: To work at Alexis Bittar

Why:
My mom must be psychic! I had admired this adorable doggy shirt at Anthropologie a few weeks ago, but decided against it that day because I really didn't have the moolah to justify he purchase. I didn't think much of it, or mention it to her, but she must have heard my brain waves because this arrived in my birthday package earlier this week!

I love this top! I had a hard time finding something to wear with it this morning, though, because all my go-to pieces have been worn in the past 57 days! If only I would wear my Jason Wu permapleated a-line skirt! Gah!

I dug this purple pencil out of the depth of my newly-organized closet, and I actually like the way it works! This is the outfit I would wear if I taught high school English. Don't I look scholarly?

What:
Top -- Anthropologie via momma
Skirt -- Urban Outfitters, old
Shoes -- BDG via Urban Outfitters
Jewelery --  Alexis Bittar, borrowed

PS, If my Halloween costume turns out to be any good, I might post it up here!

Day 56 -- Pattern Play

When: Friday, October 26th, 2012

Where: To work at Alexis Bittar

Why:
Why not?! I mean, if you had a pineapple sweater and numbers skirt in your closet, wouldn't you wear them together? The answer is obvious.

The outfit felt very me. I got so many compliments on it today for how unique it is! I know knowing that no one else has this look. And I know this because this skirt is actually a dress! I got it at Wasteland and I loved loved loved the print, but I refuse to ever be caught dead in a halter top and the fit was super awkward. 

 

 

I had to have this crazy numbers print in my life, so I slipped the halter straps down by my waist and made maxi skirt out of this flowy chiffon dress. I have to say, I'm pretty pleased with myself.

 

 I'm a sucker for a fun print, and I'll scoop up anything with an animal or food on it. So, when I saw this pineapple engineered print, I knew it was meant to be!

 This is one of those its-so-crazy-it-just-might-work outfits!

What:
Sweater -- Urban Outfitters, super on sale
Skirt -- Diane Von Furstenberg via Wasteland
Shoes -- Sam Edelman
Jewelry -- Alexis Bittar, borrowed

Birthday Sangria

This receipe comes to you care of my brillaint friend and co-worker Roxanne. Girl knows how to make a drink!

Here's what you'll need:
1 750 ml bottle of Captain Morgan spriced rum (or larger if you like!)
1 big jug of Carlo Rossi Sangria red wine (I think it only comes in the too-heavy-to-carry size)
1 2-liter bottle of sprite/7-up/sierra mist/ginger ale/whatever
Fruits (I used apples and oranges to give it a fall flavor, and it was great!)
I cup simple syrup (2 cups of sugar dissolved in 1 cup water)

 So first, slice up your fruits. But be really careful not to slice yourself, or you may end up using the most colorful curse words you've ever heard in your life! I sliced mine in rings because I thought that would look prettiest.


Put them in the bottom of a large container. I have this great jug thing with a tab which made it really easy for my guests to serve themselves. Pour in the whole bottle of rum.

Then pour in the whole bottle of wine.



Last, add the simple syrup.

Let this mixture stew together overnight at room temperature.

I didn't get a picture of the last step because I was too eager to actually drink the stuff, but... Right before your guests arrive, pour the whole bottle of sprite into the jug and stir.

It was sooo tasty, but many of my guests complained that it wasn't strong enough. Roxanne recommends also adding a 750ml bottle of tequila, and that could be really fun too!

Let me know how yours turns out!

Day 55 -- On a Golden Autumn Day

When: Thursday, October 25th, 2012

Where: To work at Alexis Bittar, movie date with Alex (we saw Argo and it was amazing!)

 

Why: It was going to be a long day, and it was cold when I woke up. I was really struggling to find anything to wear in the 2.5 seconds I had before I had to run off to a morning meeting, so I grabbed some pieces I knew I hadn't worn in a while, because frankly, they're not my favorites. Trying not to repeat pieces is starting to get hard! I'm running out!

 I got these pants at Gap about a year ago*, right after I started working at Alexis Bittar. I knew blue jeans were against dress code, and I was just coming out of a big jeans phase -- I lived in jeans when I lived in Boston! These navy Audrey pants seemed to be the perfect piece at the time to pull me through, and really I haven't worn them all too much!

This peplum blouse can really only be worn with pants, so I instantly grabbed it in the dark once I had decided on slacks. The marigold sweater perfectly ties in  with the splotch of color at the bottom of my blouse.

I love the fall colors of this outfit! Even though it was actually still hot today, I felt like maybe the seasons were turning...

 

What:

Pants -- Gap

Top -- Vena Cava via Wasteland

Sweater -- H&M 

Shoes -- Rocketdog via Marshall's (Alex says I need to switch up the shoes I wear more, but I love these ones! So versatile!)

*Isn't it funny how I always end up saying when or why I bought what I'm wearing today rather than saying why I put it on? I always remember the situations that drive me to shop. I guess shopping is such an experience for me, that all my outings really stick in my mind.

Day 54 -- Pink Lady

When: Wednesday, October 24, 2012. My birthday... again.

Where: 

Morning walk around the neighborhood, off to get massages, and wherever else the day takes me!

Why:

I got this shirtdress last fall on sale at Anthro, but I've only worn it once. Now I remember why -- it has horrific static cling no matter what I do! I love this look, but OMG I can't deal with silk clinging to my legs out in public. Unacceptable.

Insider secret: I changed after we took these photos.

 

Alex and I had some fun this morning playing with his camera and trying out different styles. I love this shot because I think it looks like a film still.

What:
Dress -- Zoology via Anthro
Sweater -- Gap, last year
Pumps -- Franco Sarto via Marshalls
Watch -- Marc by Marc via Alex
Bag -- Gift from (future) MIL